Many cruise ships are now equipped with '''cell phone-to-satellite transponders''', which '''take over automatically''' at sea to provide wireless phone service throughout the ship. Your cell phone works just like at home and bills its usage back to your regular cell phone bill.

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Many cruise ships are now equipped with '''cell phone-to-satellite transponders''', which '''take over automatically''' at sea to provide wireless phone service to the world throughout the ship. Your cell phone works just like at home and bills its usage back to your regular cell phone bill.

* Be aware that ''as your phone switches over'' to that "Cellular at Sea", '''you are roaming at their pricey per minute rates'''; the allotment of minutes on your plan doesn't apply here. Data should work as well, but cost can add up fast if your phone checks e-mail regularly.

* Be aware that ''as your phone switches over'' to that "Cellular at Sea", '''you are roaming at their pricey per minute rates'''; the allotment of minutes on your plan doesn't apply here. Data should work as well, but cost can add up fast if your phone checks e-mail regularly.

* Once the ship docks at a port with available cell service compatible with your phone, ''and you then turn it on'', your phone will likely use shore signals instead.

* Once the ship docks at a port with available cell service compatible with your phone, ''and you then turn it on'', your phone will likely use shore signals instead.

Revision as of 23:52, 17 August 2012

Cruise ships are a means of travel with some substantial benefits, but a few drawbacks too. Some people love them, and some people hate them, but they're worthy of consideration, especially if you find other modes of travel too difficult or inconvenient. They make it easy to visit several places in a single trip without the need to repack your belongings and sit in a car/train/bus/plane to travel to each one; your hotel room comes along with you, and even provides the transportation. You may go to bed in Cabo San Lucas and wake up in Puerto Vallarta, which is a great convenience and experience, but can also make it easy to lose a sense of where you are.

Additionally, seeing several islands or cities in a region can help you decide if and where you'd want to visit later for a longer time. Typical itineraries also limit the time you can spend in each place, usually just a short day of activities or sightseeing. They may also include one or more days at sea: paradise if you enjoy a relaxing day by the pool, but frustrating if you prefer more active and open exploration. Nonetheless, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks for enough people to support a growing industry.

Today you can visit every continent on earth, including Antarctica, by cruise ship. The most exotic itineraries, such as the Galapagos Islands, are best visited by small expedition vessels. While these cruises are expensive, you'll be traveling with expert guides.

As you may note already, this article focuses on ocean cruising and ships. A parallel article (to be developed) would focus on river boat and barge canal cruising. River boats and barges offer more in-depth, close-up looks at many countries in their interiors. For travel on smaller vessels, see Cruising on small craft.

Carnival Corporation is the giant in the ocean cruise industry. It owns Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Holland America, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises and Seabourn Cruises. The other major cruise lines are Royal Caribbean International, which owns Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises, Oceania Cruises and P&O, which caters to the British market, and Norwegian Cruise Lines, which caters primarily to passengers on the United States' east coast with year round sailings from New York City and Miami.

Understand

The golden age of transoceanic passenger travel is long gone, and the only surviving ships from that era are all either converted to cruising, preserved as museums and/or hotels, or are laid-up, but that doesn't mean that traveling across the sea by ship is gone too. In truth, modern-day passenger ships, including Cunard Line's mammoth Queen Mary 2, are actually now much larger and more luxurious than they were years ago. The Cunard "Queens" still occasionally make traditional fast Atlantic crossings, e.g., between New York and England. Reassuringly, most cruise ships seldom segregate public areas or restaurants that passengers may use based on the "quality" of the cabin they've purchased, as was widely customary in the early 20th century.

The picture of cruise ship travel painted by the circa-1977 TV series "The Love Boat" isn't particularly misleading (except about the inevitable bliss before debarkation and the all-American crew), but it is rather incomplete. Due to economy of scale, most modern cruise ships carry 2,000 to 5,000 passengers. While the luxury segment of the cruise industry boasts small ships...even "boutique" vessels or "mega-yachts"...you'll probably board a small floating city. Voyages range from a few days to full circumnavigations of the globe lasting three months, while fares range from a few hundred dollars to $100,000+.

Luxury cruise lines may have ships carrying 100-800 or so passengers. Larger ships carry 2,000-3,500 passengers, while mega-ships can carry over 5,000...a virtual city on something that weighs many times as much as the Titanic. Each size has its merits, e.g.,:

Larger ships may offer a few more amenities...as discussed in "On-board" below...but must use well-sized harbors (or anchor/moor off-shore) with transport and touring infrastructures to handle so many people.

Mega-ships offer huge public spaces and wide-ranging activities, but are limited to major ports...again with even greater infrastructures.

Cruise lines offer widely varying itineraries. Examples range from...

A few days at sea or to a nearby port-of-call. These may be offered as an introduction to cruising, or just as an opportunity to party.

One or two weeks to visit ports and sights in a particular region, per "Cruise types" below.

A month or more to see a region of the world, or three or more months to go around the world; a lifetime experience.

Each cruise is comprised of one or more cruise segments, e.g., a 1-2 week "round-tripper" will be one segment, while visiting two or more regions may involve 2-3 segments...sometimes of an around-the-world cruise. That way, cruise lines can sell affordable "pieces" of long cruises that otherwise few can consider. Not infrequently, cruisers will buy two or three back-to-back/sequential segments to build a longer cruise, e.g., 7-10 days from Florida to the Western Caribbean, return, then 7-10 days for the Eastern, or two or more world regions when they are far away.

Cruise types

Your experience will be substantially affected by the cruise type you choose. On a port-intensive itinerary, except for a few sea days...

You might dine one evening, then enjoy entertainment, dancing, etc., go to sleep, and wake-up docked at your next port of call.

Under a typical full-day port visit, you can often start ashore at 7-8 AM, and be expected back 30 minutes or so before ship departure at 5-6 PM or so.

You can breakfast at your place of choice and be off-ship on your way to an organized tour, self-arranged tour or activities, or just a walk-about.

An "all-day" tour may include lunch (see tour description); a half-day tour can have you back to the ship for lunch...then further touring, shopping or a walk-about for the afternoon if you choose.

If you prefer such cruises...

Look for itineraries in regions that offer many stops near the port where your cruise starts, e.g., Mediterranean, Baltic, The Fjords, United Kingdom, Caribbean, Alaska, Mexican Riviera.

Look for departure ports within the region, to minimize sea days, e.g., Caribbean trips starting in San Juan or Barbados, or Amsterdam or Copenhagen for the Baltic or Fjords.

In contrast, ships from Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Tampa can take 1-2 days to reach the Caribbean, and the same to return. But you have more cruise and ship choices there, and you can choose to drive to either port if you live close enough (see "Get in" below).

Segments of around-the-world cruises, usually traversing major regions over a 3-6 weeks. They too will involve one-way international flights.

Around-the-world cruises, taking 90+ days...best considered once you know you're comfortable with many days at sea.

As you find temptation, look at "Do" below and the ship's description (on-line or in brochure) to appreciate on-board activities.

There are also various cruises for special interests — for bridge players with a few masters on board, celebrity entertainers/bands, cultural/political science/ history lectures, GLBT lifestyles, etc. There have even been Linux cruises and other geek cruises.

Cruise Seasons

Many cruising regions have "high", "low" and "shoulder" seasons. These usually track with the most and least desirable times to visit the region, and times in-between, e.g., Winter for the Fjords, late-Summer/Fall for the Caribbean (tropical storms) are deemed undesirable. Expect to pay premium prices during high-season, substantially less in "low", and perhaps you'll find some bargains in "shoulder", e.g., for "re-positionings".

Many ships transfer among distant regions that have opposite high-seasons...under repositioning cruises, e.g., between the Mediterranean, Baltic or Alaska and the Caribbean, South America, Australia, New Zealand. The long distances require many sea days, often at attractive per day prices for those who like them.

Cruise demographics

While the cruise industry once catered primarily to seniors, the age of passengers has diversified significantly. The average age of Royal Caribbean's passengers is 48, many other lines appeal to 20-40 year-old couples, "party" cruises attract young adults, and Disney and others focus on families with children and teens. Cruising has turned into an enormously popular family vacation due to well-designed children's programs, even special cabin configurations.

Some itineraries and cruise-lines may attract more seniors, e.g., trans-Atlantic and -Pacific re-positioning cruises, Holland-America (it very effectively supports but doesn't just market to seniors). Reasons include cost, cruise length, numbers of days at sea, and dates that conflict with school.

If cruise demographics are important to you, read the cruise description carefully, research web sites on cruising (see "Other resources" below), and work through your travel/cruise agent to learn the probable demographics of any trip you're considering. You'll be glad you did so, or you risk embarking on a ship filled with rowdy young adults or seniors with limited activities.

If handicapped or pregnant

If you have a physical limitation, the cruise line can usually help...especially if notified in-advance. Without sacrificing personal privacy, use your agent (or directly if no agent is involved) to let them know about your needs and when they apply, e.g.,:

Help with the significant walking distances to embark and dis-embark (processs discussed below), or to go on port visits.

If you purchase a fly/cruise or cruise-extension package (also discussed below), which other help you'll need.

A cruise can place you some distance from proper pre-natal care and birthing facilities, especially advanced medical care. If you have any complication, or might be well-into your third-trimester during a cruise under consideration, consult your doctor. Then inform the cruise-line, through your agent if used. A note of fitness for travel from him/her can assuage the fears of the line and staff as you go through embarkation processing.

Many cruise lines will in fact not permit you to cruise once you reach a certain point in your pregnancy (similar to airlines). Check this with your travel agent as you might be denied boarding upon arrival to the pier if you are too far along with your pregnancy.

Booking a cruise

Once you've found a cruise that suits you, you'll want to know the full costs and terms...including port fees and taxes, often not reflected in brochure and initial web-site prices.

On a web-site, as you approach the "buy" point, you'll be given a quoted price for all the parameters and options (e.g., flying to/from the port(s)) you've chosen. Before you "buy", ensure you make a full copy of the quote/invoice and fully understand what's involved. It needs to also include all terms of the cruise contract you are agreeing to.

Per "Cabins", "Get in" and other discussions below, wise choices of those parameters/options can be quite complex. Unless you are a seasoned cruiser, you should seriously consider using an agent rather than booking on-line yourself. He/she can help you considerably to understand all options available and their import, as well as basic costs, port fees and taxes that may not be apparent in on-line information. The contract also usually obligates you to pay for unexpected cruise line costs, e.g., fuel surcharges if the world oil market has inflated by cruise time. Before you buy the cruise, he/she will also provide an invoice reflecting all costs, as of that date, for your careful examination, and allowing you to question details or request changes.

Travel insurance

If your trip starts to gain complexity or substantial cost as you plan it, or you are a first-time cruiser, you should consider trip insurance. Example reasons include if you intend to go on "adventure tours" (with risk of injury), have any medical condition that could flare up and require evacuation, will be a great distance from home, any possibility that any provider of trip services might go bankrupt, or if you've been forced to accept tight airline connections.

You usually must buy it after you have purchased your trip...shortly after is best. Its cost will basically be determined by your total trip cost, the age of travelers in your group, levels of coverage, and options for coverage requested for certain problems, e.g., treatment for sickness or injury (on and off the ship), or medical evacuation. As you purchase it, do not understate the known, fixed costs of the entire trip; otherwise, your claim may be denied. Many policies will cover pre-existing medical conditions if purchased within a few days of booking your trip; they often will not if bought later.

Travel experts often recommend getting insurance from other than airlines or cruise lines. Their coverage often focuses only or primarily on their responsibilities, while a quality policy will cover your end-to-end trip, and many more risks. Some "lines" also offer cancellation protection, but their cost can be a major fraction of those for well-purchased, overall trip coverage. You may obtain better rates and/or coverage by buying it through or from an association you belong to, e.g., AAA, AA.

Key ships officers

The ship and your cruise depend on them. Just a few of them include:

The Captain: He or she is called the ship's master for a reason, with total operational command of the vessel and when and where it goes. And yes, through recent changes to law, many can now officiate at weddings, as can accredited, "resident" or pre-certified clergy.

The Cruise Director: Responsible for all entertainment, special activities, key briefings and announcements, and any port or shopping advisers.

The Maitre de for your dining room, the headwaiter, and (perhaps) most-especially your waiter for the area where your table is located if you have opted for traditional evening dining (see "Eat" below). They stand ready to make special arrangements for you on request such as birthday or anniversary celebrations, table changes, and special or required dining needs, e.g., food allergies, special diets.

Travel or cruise agent

As noted throughout this article, a knowledgeable agent can greatly help you obtain the best value for your cruise, and avoid many kinds of mistakes and avoidable travel missteps. He/she can/should learn your needs and preferences, and then know how to find what best fits your plans/preferences to discuss them with you before booking. Ask neighbors who travel or look near home for an agency. Be selective and you'll often find someone who can help at remarkably moderate cost... and for complex trips worth every penny.

Other resources

Several web-sites provide objective information about various cruise lines, ships, cruising regions and ports, and how to choose, prepare for and go on a cruise. Many offer professional reviews, some offer passenger reviews. But because they often sell cruises through third parties, they cannot be listed here. To find them, use a good search engine, with "cruise" and "advice" or "review" as keywords among your search parameters.

Those sites and travel magazines discuss other valuable topics, e.g., "wave season" (when to book, not when to go) versus other times, understanding what's included (and not) in prices shown, industry trends that may cause prices to go down. A good travel/cruise agent will have those and other insights. Knowing exactly when and how to best book a cruise receives nearly constant attention in travel articles, and approaches being an art.

Cabins

Your accommodations can range widely...usually determined by cost. Most cruise lines promote their ships as luxurious, and cabin (aka stateroom, not room) furnishings can range from quite "nice" to "utterly elegant". The less expensive tend to be quite a bit smaller than ordinary hotel rooms...space you may only use for a few hours each day to sleep anyway. But every square inch is usable, e.g., luggage fits under the bed to allow you to unpack many/all items and hang them in closets or store on shelves/in drawers for easy access.

Cabin grades/categories. On large ships, you'll find a number of cabin grades or categories within each cabin type. They involve location, size, quality of view, features, etc. Good travel/cruise agents have access to the codes for the nuances of features and know of shortfalls for many. Cabin costs will vary not only type but by those gradations/categories. For any cabin type, costs reflected in brochures and on web sites usually apply to the lowest grade.

Cabin types The basic types include:

Inside cabins are the least expensive and located in the interior of the ship. Hence the name, they lack a window, but are filtered with the ship's air ventilation "piped-in".

Ocean view... with windows (don't open, ship's air ventilation "piped-in")...slightly more expensive. The least expensive may have partially or substantially obstructed views.

Balcony/veranda at even higher prices, with outside chairs, perhaps a table, to watch sunsets, have a room-service meal or treat, and watch passing ships and land.

Mini-suites and full suites (the latter often multi-room) with private verandas. shower/bathtubs, sitting areas, perhaps hot tubs and other amenities...to command the highest prices.

Perhaps oddly, suites and the least expensive cabins tend to sell out first.

Some cabins and all hallways have handrails for safety during occasional rough weather...not often needed. On ships built in the late 1990s or later, very few passengers will be:

Bothered by pitching and rolling of the ship...all built with highly-effective stabilizers.

Disturbed by the ship's engines or screws (propellers)...very quiet.

Disturbed by frequent public announcements...easily heard in hallways and public areas. Except for key announcements, they are usually not piped into cabins, but can be heard on a designated TV channel.

Features:

Virtually all cabins have twin beds, usually joined to create a generous queen, with side tables/drawers or shelves. (See "Sleep" below.) Suites may have king-sized beds.

Cabins configured for families may also have a pull-down or wall-mounted bunk-bed, sleeper sofa or settee, or another twin/queen bed.

All come with a small safe. While on-board, you should lock all valuables in it (e.g., fine jewelry, passports, charge cards, cash), and leave them there unless needed, e.g., for a port visit, shopping ashore or dressing for dinner.

Expect to find a large wall-mounted mirror or two. Handy for checking your appearance, they also make the cabin seem bigger.

Small private bathrooms with showers are the minimum, with better cabins offering more space, shower/baths or larger showers. Each type will offer at least minimal toiletries typical for a motel (if you need specific ones, bring them), small cabinets and shelves for all toiletries, at least one counter and lavatory, and a toilet that operates by power suction.

All will have a phone with wake-up call capability (synchronized to the ship's time).

Virtually all will have a TV, some even an attached DVD player.

All will have at least a reach-in closet with a hanging rod, some hangars and a shelf often holding your life-vests. You'll also find storage drawers elsewhere. Suites may have walk-ins, with numerous shelves.

Better rooms...uh, cabins...may have a settee, desk with chair or more.

Better ships/cabins often offer a small refrigerator, holding chilled cans and bottles for sale. If you bring your own drinks, ask the cabin steward to empty it of items for sale.

Power outlets and wattage are minimized...essential to avoid fire risk.

The bathroom should have a low-wattage, usually 120V 60Hz outlet adequate for such as a shaver, and often a 220V outlet for the ship's hair-dryer.

If not in the bathroom, the 220V outlet may be near the bed or desk, perhaps with the ship's hair-dryer stored nearby.

Near the bed or desk, you may find one or two low-wattage, usually 120V 60Hz outlets adequate only for such as a laptop.

Net result: Don't use your own iron or hairdryer or anything that heats food or liquid.

Knowing these features and limits, experienced cruisers variously bring:

An extension cord to use low-wattage 120 volt items at convenient locations, and 1-2 nite-lites.

For warm climes, a small fan. Cabin air conditioners effectively but slowly change cabin temperature, but airflow is often modest.

Some form of air deodorizer...balcony fresh air (if you have one) quickly helps but can compromise cabin air temperature and humidity.

For passengers with mobility challenges, some cabins have wide doors, "friendly thresholds into bathrooms and showers/tubs, and other helpful provisions.

Location can affect price somewhat because parts of a ship are more desirable to some passengers, e.g.,:

To avoid the effects of ship's rolling or pitching, some may opt for a cabin on a lower deck or closer to amidship.

To sunbathe on their balcony, many choose a deck well-below any over-hanging topdeck.

Those who need quiet to sleep will choose locations away from lobbies and elevators, and with at least one deck between their cabin and any place where late-night revelers celebrate.

Those with mobility challenges may prefer to be near elevators.

Cabin water is fully potable...usually obtained by reverse-osmosis...so efficient that some large ships visiting ports with water shortages may offload potable water. Older ships may use distillation supplemented by fresh water on-loads; distillation tends to make the water softer. All ships carefully treat the water to ensure its safety. Taste in cabins may be somewhat bland or have a hint of chemicals. Elsewhere, water often receives additional filtration to assure excellent taste for use in bars, dining rooms, kitchens, and buffet self-serve drink dispensers.

If a ship offers laundromats (usually consistent across a cruise line), each usually has more than one pair of washers/dryers and one or more irons and ironing boards usable only there. You'll also find detergent and softener dispensers. Machines and dispensers usually require coins or tokens...obtained at the Pursor's desk, perhaps from a coin machine in the laundry room.

As you get interested in any cruise, ship or cabin type, go to the cruise line's web site and others (e.g., [1]) for more details. Again, a good travel/cruise agent can help you find the features you need or want.

In addition, specially designed river boats and barges ply navigable rivers and lakes of Europe, China, Brazil, Egypt, North America and numerous other places. However, as noted above, this article focuses on ocean cruising and ships.

What to Pack

This can vary substantially according to the region you'll cruise, e.g., clothing for cool/cold areas versus warm, conservative colors for Europe, items to cover arms and legs to enter many religious buildings worldwide. For more discussion, see Packing for a cruise, and especially the many good articles at travel, destination and cruise-oriented web-sites.

If you'll fly to/from a cruise port, see Fundamentals of flying for advice and suggestions. Many experienced cruisers find certain items necessities, e.g.,:

Sunglasses with strong light filtration, to include full UV protection.

Sanitizing wipes or solution. If you purchase any, look for active sanitizing ingredients beyond just alcohol. Most intended for hands have a glycerin base to prevent drying skin. Avoid using them on hard surfaces as they leave an undesirable residue. You'll note numerous uses below and in the separate article "Fundamentals of flying".

Skin protection. Essential for all cruises, the sun not only strikes you from above, but is reflected off the water, e.g., on boat excursions, at beaches. (See full article on sunburn and protection at [2]) Pack and use protection, e.g., adequate clothing, brimmed hats, sunblock with high UV A/B protection ratings. Ship's stores have some such items but charge dearly for them. You'll also find them ashore, but usually at a premium over home stores.

Binoculars. Most views from ship are at a considerable distance.

Duct tape. Useful to make temporary repairs to luggage and other items.

Power Strip. Most smaller cruise ship cabins have one power outlet in the open cabin, and one in the lavatory. A strip becomes useful if you bring a laptop or cellphone (to recharge batteries), electric shaver, etc.

Essential Papers

Any authority looking at airline tickets, boarding passes and passports will examine names carefully. TSA and other security authorities often require that key papers (e.g., airline tickets, passports) precisely reflect your full name. This applies to all persons in your travel group, e.g., spouse, children (toddlers perhaps excepted). It starts by making sure that whoever books your cruise (and any associated airline tickets) accurately enters each full name on reservations and later-generated tickets.

Unless your ship's itinerary is confined to your home country (not often), you must prepare for a cruise as you would for any other international trip, to include passports, perhaps visas. Many countries to be visited may levy few or no visa requirements on day-visitors via cruise ship. But, check with the cruise line (through your agent if used) well ahead of time. Some lines will arrange needed visas for scheduled port visits, but also check specifically for visa requirements if you have an international flight itinerary.

The cruise-line will often insist that your passport have more than six months before it expires as of the date your cruise starts. They may just be echoing requirements of countries the ship will visit, e.g., many that require visas will not issue any under passports with less time.

Lacking such a passport, or any needed visa, you risk being denied boarding on embarkation day...without refund or other compensation. You may also not be covered by travel insurance purchased.

Very occasionally, port officials in certain countries will require review of all passenger passports before clearing the ship for passengers to go ashore. If so, they often join the ship a few days in-advance, and the ship will announce a day or so before the port visit that the staff needs to gather all passports for inspection.

Before you leave home, make machine or photo color copies of at least the primary, facing pages of each passport...per details in the above linked article. Use the passports when instructed by authorities, e.g., going through airport, airline or customs and immigration processing, processing for initial ship's embarkation. Take them with you on the rare occasion needed ashore per ship's announcements. Otherwise, once on-board, leave them in your cabin's safe and take the copies ashore instead, along with government-issued photo identification, e.g., driver's license.

Boarding Passes and Tickets

Once booked, you need to promptly go to your cruise line's web site to "register". (Immigration authorities require that any ship leaving their jurisdiction have personal data of all passengers at least 3 or more days before cruise departure, but don't wait that long. Your agent or the line may have to mail these papers to you.) There (using your booking number), complete all details about all people cruising in your group. Data needed will include full names, addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers (or the equivalent for other countries), passport details, emergency contact names and phone numbers, how you want your shipboard account established/paid (see "Embarkation" below).

Once registered, the site will often allow you to print your boarding passes if within 60 days or so of the cruise. Others may mail them to you as noted above. You may get one set listing all persons in your group, or a set for each person. Each may also include the cruise contract and boarding instructions and times. If you've paid for flights or airport-to-port transfers, you should also find vouchers or flight tickets (or Internet links to them for printing at home). If you don't have these key papers in-hand in some usable form at least three weeks before your cruise, notify your agent/cruise line immediately.

Each person will need his/her boarding pass and passport to be processed on-board.

Some lines will send you durable tags in-advance, to attach at least to your large luggage. If so, they'll often come with your boarding passes and vouchers for pre-paid transfers.

Others will offer tags for you on-line. If so, print them...yes, they'll be on printer paper. Then fold each as indicated into a narrow strip, and reinforce it with transparent package sealing tape. When you're ready to attach one, wrap it around a luggage handle, information showing, and then staple multiple times or apply strong tape at the overlapping ends.

If you make your own flight arrangements, you'll have to get yourself and all bags to the port/cruise terminal. You can wait to attach the cruise-line tags as you claim them at the end of your flight, but do so before your bags reach the port if possible. If you have none, porters at the terminal can create tags using your boarding pass data.

If you have arranged services from the cruise-line to transfer your checked luggage from the end of your flight to the ship, you need to attach the cruise tags as you check the luggage to begin flying. Before you leave the air terminal at the port city's airport, get confirmation from any welcoming cruise-line staff about transfers and any responsibilities you have, e.g., if flying internationally, you may have to claim your bags to go through customs and immigration processing before re-checking them into the cruise line luggage system.

Other Essential Papers

If travel is international, take no more prescription medications than you'll need on your trip...with convincing documentation that they belong to you and are necessary, e.g., labeled bottles with your name, copy of the doctor's prescription. If any contains a controlled/narcotic ingredient, make absolutely sure you will not violate any law of any country you'll enter...even as a through cruise or flight passenger, e.g., as needed, have the country's written permission to carry the meds within its borders. Otherwise, the consequences in a few countries can be severe, e.g., immediate confiscation, arrest, possible prison.

If you have purchased travel insurance, take at least a summary of the policy coverage and how to contact the insurer for help from wherever you will go on the trip.

Flying to/from port

Cruise ships sail from an increasing number of port cities. Most people must fly to get to them. If that applies to you, you have options. They include arranging your own flights (discussed later), choosing a cruise line fly/cruise package, choosing a cruise extension, or making a flight deviation request to suit your needs/desires to/from the cruise.

For all those options, if you miss your ship's departure (actually from any port), you are responsible for joining it at it's next port of call (can be very expensive unless covered by travel insurance and you are not at fault) or getting home on your own. Some sources imply that ships will delay departure for flights their line has arranged that arrive late. More accurately, they may delay, but only if it doesn't compromise the ship's ability to reach the next port on-schedule. Accordingly...

If you're flying to (and from) an "in-country" departure port, insist that your flight is scheduled to arrive in plenty of time to reach the terminal...at least two hours before sailing. For return flights, see "Disembarkation" discussion below.

If flying to an overseas departure port, get to the port city at least a day before cruise departure, even if it means you must pay there for an overnight stay, meals and transfers. Such "day early" arrivals are good industry practice and should be offered by your cruise line in any fly/cruise package. Your insistence on this should not be treated by the cruise line as a flight deviation request. If you'll have a long flight, you'll appreciate the chance to rest anyway.

A fly/cruise package means the line makes all arrangements for you to reach, go on and return from the cruise, including transfers...often at great convenience and confidence for first-time cruisers or those embarking at unfamiliar ports. Those packages have trade-offs...

They usually cost more than arranging your own flight(s) and transfers..."usually" mentioned here because lines offering new, expanded or unusual "markets" may offer "free airfare". But take care about "free". If you see anything in trip descriptions or the total invoiced/quoted cruise costs that in-effect refunds/rebates for air support not used, the offer really isn't free...but it still may be desirable.

The line's choices of flights/routes are often made semi-automatically, emphasizing cruise-line cost-avoidance (e.g., using airline seats they've already blocked), then your cruise departure time. You have little control over their initial choices. Results occasionally have inconvenient flight times through busy air hubs with short connections, that require considerable walking, or that have quite long total times enroute.

The line will notify you of proposed flight details at least 45-60 days ahead of the cruise. Promptly examine them. If any detail appears problematic, promptly question its wisdom (through your agent if used), and decline to accept until corrected or explained to your full satisfaction.

Most lines also offer cruise extensions to distant ports near or where cruises start or end. You can opt to spend 2-3 (perhaps more) nights at/near a port city immediately before and/or after your cruise. Somewhat pricey, they are integrated into your overall trip, with flight arrangements, quality lodging and transfers covered. Meals may not be included. They may include one or more tours. You shouldn't have to pay any flight deviation fee (below) with an extension. Cruise brochures, your travel agent and the cruise-line's website will variously describe extensions available. If travel involves flying overseas, choose the number of days of any extension with intent to use at least some of the first day to rest.

Flight deviation requests. For an additional fee (e.g., $100+ per person), the cruise line will process (not book) your request for special flight arrangements. You place it through the agent that books your cruise if any...best made as you book the cruise, certainly long before its start. You can request dates, flight time windows or times, aircraft cabin class, even suggest an airline and flight numbers.

The later your request, the more difficult it is to arrange. Somewhat economical seats blocked in-advance by the cruise line can sell-out rapidly. Late deviation requests can force the line to quote you costs to "cold purchase" tickets, at substantial extra cost to you, even using their wholesale or consolidator contacts.

Your request may be one of hundreds being processed for that cruise, so make it simple, e.g., clear objective(s) with few suggestions, alternatives or options...each requires some research by whomever helps you.

The more specific or "exotic" your request (e.g., non-stop flights, delays/stays enroute), the more expensive your flight arrangements will tend to be. Perhaps after negotiations, you'll be notified (through your agent if any) of the line's final offer of air costs (beyond the basic deviation processing fee) and itinerary details. As above, examine each detail for feasibility and whether it meets your objective(s).

If you decline all offers, you still must pay the air deviation request fee.

If you've booked a cruise with terms that basically say "airfare included", watch for unusually high added air charges, e.g., just for using a different gateway airport. This may be just an effort to recoup some of cruise line's air costs.

Once you're booked, if you have enough frequent-flier miles, and "your airline" or "alliance" gets chosen to transport you, you may be able to use your "miles"/points for seating upgrades. To find out, contact the airline directly.

Booking your own: If you're a seasoned traveler or have a good travel agent, you/your agent may do better by booking your own flights and lodging...better economy and/or flight dates/times/routes/seating and/or a hotel you prefer. However, If you must fly to one city/port for embarkation, and return from a different one, look at both options...self/agent-arranged flights and cruise-line fly/cruise packages.

On most airlines, one-way domestic tickets cost significantly more than round trips for the same dates.

With an international cruise, you/your agent face purchasing multiple one-way tickets for each traveler...often at much greater cost, e.g., each can cost more than twice as much as a round-trip on the same dates. However, with some effort:

Your agent may know of budget airlines that offer one-way "econo" bookings, especially if you can be flexible about dates, routes, times enroute, on-board niceties...and occasional need to claim luggage from one carrier, take it to another terminal and recheck it on another airline while enroute.

Cruise lines anticipate such costs/issues and block seats accordingly. If you ask early enough, your cruise-line may offer you a slightly better price than you can easily obtain independently, perhaps including transfers between airports and ports.

If you arrange anything on your own, keep any affected agent informed of your intent, efforts and results.

Regardless of how they are arranged, ensure you have completely adequate scheduled connection times to make flight check-ins, flight connections, the start of your cruise and return flights...to include extra time for unpredictable delays. Consider everything that might make you late, e.g., flight schedules, "tricky" connections, seasonal weather problems throughout your route, distance/time between any port and airport, ground transport dependability/availability, how far in-advance you need to check-in for flights. If you don't have fully-adequate time, choose other arrangements.

Such complexity, risk and cost again recommend that you use an agent and get quality trip insurance. And your trip insurer will expect "due diligence" from you in planning and booking transport to avoid travel problems.

Home-to-Port by Land

In contrast to flying, you might drive to your port city if practical without great effort and if the costs are right. With an adequate vehicle, you can take and bring home much more than allowed by air...quite useful for serious shoppers, family souvenirs and Christmas gift list items. Optionally, you can also visit the port area one or more days before or after the cruise. If your group is 3 or more adults or a family, you'll need a sizable vehicle for all, to assure comfort and room for luggage. If it looks tempting, examine and compare...

Using a hotel/motel park-stay-cruise package near the port. Some let you park for 7-14 days at no or small charge (but no assurance of vehicle security) and offer shuttles to/from the port. Certain web sites specialize in finding such offers.

Driving and parking at a commercial parking lot near or at the port. They usually offer shuttles to/from ships' terminals. They can be pricey for multi-week cruises, but do offer some security for your vehicle. Lots in/on the port are often much more expensive than "off-port".

Renting a car/van one-way each way. This lets you "up-size" for comfort and capacity, and avoid parking costs, especially for long cruises. However, watch out for large drop-off fees, especially if the drive crosses borders or state lines. Check for rental brands that offer at least one office for vehicle drop-off and pick-up near the port, and offering shuttles to/from terminals.

If you can obtain quality, convenient bus or train service (as in Europe), you might obtain similar benefits, with simplicity and savings possible over a car. Examine the carrier's costs, reputation for punctuality, schedules, locations of terminals, transfers needed and any parking costs near home, and plan your departures accordingly.

Embarkation

This all starts as you reach your ship's terminal. The walking distance from ground transport to on-board ship can vary from 100-300 meters or so depending on terminal design and ship size. If anyone in your party has mobility challenges, request help in-advance.

If you are to board a large ship, examine the cruise line's instructions on when to arrive. Consider that:

A large group will eagerly reach the terminal as early as they can...perhaps forgetting that the same staff (ship's, terminal and Customs) that processes them will first have to help nearly all on-board passengers disembark. If you are also that early, you'll likely spend considerable time idle in line waiting to be processed, with no guarantee of seating or shelter from the weather.

Many other embarking passengers will precisely follow the cruise line advice and arrive at the designated time. That can create another line.

Once all staff are ready to embark passengers, only very frequent customers of that line, or those who've booked suites, will receive any preferential processing.

If you have a choice, consider reaching the terminal 30-60 minutes after the time mentioned by the cruise line. If you're traveling with a personal group (e.g., family), don't begin embarkation processing without all members present. In any event, reach the cruise terminal at least two hours before the ship is scheduled to sail. As above, if your agent or cruise line has arranged a flight that could cause you to reach the port later, seriously question its wisdom well in-advance.

At the cruise terminal, give your large baggage (virtually no limit on numbers, but don't pack that much), with cruise tags attached, to porters for mandatory, separate security screening, then loading on the ship. (As above, if you have no tags to attach, the porters will help using details on your boarding pass.) They deserve a modest tip. You won't see those large bags until they arrive at your cabin door...2-3 hours later, perhaps more. If you've paid the cruise line for airport-to-terminal transfers, and you have no intermediate customs processing, you may not see your checked luggage after initial airport check-in until it reaches the terminal, perhaps even at your cabin. But learn the full process and your responsibilities.

As you start in-processing at the ship's terminal, officials will examine your boarding passes and passports. Then:

You and your hand-carried items will be scanned, much as at an airport...but without limits on numbers or non-alcoholic liquids.

Note about liquor: Nearly all cruise lines forbid bringing "personal liquor" on-board. Indeed, among some cruisers, smuggling it has become an art form. The above scanning will look for it, as will scanning of your large luggage. Any found will be "kept" by the ship until you disembark. If you've put any in your large luggage, and the bag hasn't reached your cabin within a reasonable time, check with the Pursor; it may be "on luggage hold" on a lower deck for you to personally claim...sans the liquor. Modest quantities of wine may be allowed, and hand-carried soft-drinks seldom get refused. Check the cruise line's policy before packing.

You'll often be asked to fill-out and sign a current health statement...one for each person in your group. If anyone reports or exhibits symptoms of something that might be communicable, he/she may be interviewed. At worst, he/she may be denied boarding, at no liability to the cruise line. Law requires them to minimize health risks to all the (perhaps) thousands of close-proximity passengers and crew on-board. This is another issue usually covered by good trip insurance.

You'll be shown to a processing counter to provide identification, set up a shipboard charge account and be issued a cabin key card for each person in your group. (See "Ashore" and "Buy" below)

From there, you'll begin boarding. On the way, you'll each have an electronic identification photo taken...computer-linked to your cabin key/card. After that, you are free to walk about on-board. Later, as you disembark and re-board, you'll have to use your card, and the photos will electronically pop-up on a monitor used by ship's security staff.

On the way, you'll often encounter a ship's commercial photographer. All pictures they take...throughout the cruise...have no cost unless you choose to buy one as you find it later in the ship's photo gallery. They tend to be rather pricey.

Once on-board, the buffet and casual food counters await...usually on upper decks. You'll often be instructed not to go to your cabin until 2 PM or so (your cabin steward is completely cleaning, sanitizing, and changing all linens and towels in your cabin and many others). So, after food if any, it's a good time to walk about the ship to get oriented.

Top-side you'll probably see one or more swimming pools, other sports and exercise facilities, bars, perhaps a spa and a lounge.

Before sailing, there will be a safety at sea briefing that everyone must attend. Cruise lines and captains take this maritime law requirement seriously. You'll find instructions in your cabin, and papers and announcements will tell where and when to go. It includes learning the location of your emergency "muster station", ways to get there from your cabin, emergency signals and procedures, and how to wear your life vest. You may or may not need to take or don your life-vest...stored in your cabin. All ship's services will be closed during this time. Truants may be called to a separate briefing at staff's convenience...with evaders possibly jeopardizing permission to stay aboard. If anyone in your group has mobility problems, this is a good time to tell the staff serving your muster station, so they can pre-arrange special help for emergencies.

If time permits after the briefing and before sailing, meet your cabin steward and discuss any needs or preferences, e.g., ice for the cabin at certain times. Then go top-side for departure...always interesting, often scenic (take your camera if light will be adequate); a bon voyage party is likely.

Get around

The key advantage of a cruise ship is that it does most of the "getting around" for you. See "Understand (above) and the following sections for details about ships and port visits. Basically, you unpack once and then visit the ports on your ship's itinerary...only repacking at the end of cruise.

As you explore the ship, you'll note that instead of numbers, decks (not floors) may have fanciful names. You may find yourself referring frequently to the maps in the elevator and stairwell areas to figure out whether the Lido Deck is above or below the Promenade Deck. The biggest ships can be 15 or more decks deep (counting bars and whatnot perched above the pools), making even the most conscientious stair-climbers resort to elevators from time to time. Thankfully, elevators will have an outside and inside list of facilities for each deck. But they often do not indicate if any is aft or forward...back to the maps.

Only rarely does a ship fail to visit a scheduled port. This most often stems from adverse weather. If such threatens, the captain will avoid the effects of the weather as much as possible, and will make announcements explaining what is happening and if you'll visit alternate ports instead.

See

Some ships have been outfitted with millions of dollars worth of art and elaborate interior decor, but generally after a few days there isn't that much to see on most cruise ships. The real sights are ashore. Some ships travel to geographically interesting areas such as Alaska or Scandinavia where they make detours to view fjords and glaciers up-close. Generally speaking, the smaller the ship, the better proximity to scenery you can expect, because they won't need to stick to deep and open water. On large ships, other scenery may be too far off to really enjoy its details, though binoculars help. Depending on the region and season, you may spot whales, dolphins, or flying fish swimming nearby or even following alongside.

Lacking those benefits, the real sightseeing opportunities come as you approach and reach port, and as you take shore outings discussed below.

Do

As you plan each day's activities, everything on-board will be based on ship's time. Depending on it's itinerary, the ship will usually change its time to agree with any time zone it has entered. This assures that you can take advantage of all activities and tours, on-board and ashore, with confidence about time. Your cabin phone will follow that change, so feel free to use its wake-up call capability to ensure you miss no event.

Aboard

Large ships will have most or all of the features discussed below...mega-ships even more. Smaller ships (e.g., 600-1200 passenger capacity) will have many of them, but in fewer numbers or smaller scale.

You'll be surrounded by water you can't swim in (it's passing by at 15-20 knots or so), but all but the smallest ships will have at least one "swimming pool" (perhaps covered, otherwise usable only in warm climes) and deck chairs. The pools won't be great for swimming laps, but some new ships are being equipped with small, swim-against-the-current pools. Most are filled with processed seawater.

Without the legal restrictions imposed on land-based facilities, most cruise ships have a casino except for Disney. Expect more emphasis on gaming on ships catering to Americans than for Europeans. Don't expect table games or machines with payoff rates even close to those found in better land-based casinos; concessionaires must pay dearly for the space. It will be open for gaming only while at sea.

However, on larger ships, Las Vegas and Broadway are the models for entertainment. They'll variously feature singing-and-dancing shows, feature singers, comedians, magicians, and other live entertainment. Shows typically follow dinner, but may precede it for those who opt for "late" dinner seating. During and after shows, other venues offer small bands, piano bars, and dancing to live music or a disc jockey.

A movie theater is found on most ships, playing movies similar to those found on airlines. There is usually a library on board for your reading pleasure but don't expect the latest novels unless left behind from an earlier cruise. If cabins have DVD players, the library may have a modest collection of titles. It may offer electronic or board games to check out. Quite commonly, you'll find an Internet cafe (discussed later). Topside you should find someone issuing equipment for basketball, table tennis and other uses.

The ship will often offer space and seating to support impromptu or organized bridge, even tournaments. And staff very often have trivia and other contests. And on most sea days, you'll see at least one large Bingo session offered.

Shopping is readily available, with shops on board. (See "Buy" below.) They'll be duty free but don't expect big bargains. They too will be open only while at sea.

Most ships have a gym or health center with exercise machines. They often offer instruction programs in exercise regimes or Tai Chi, etc., some at small extra cost. Many people use the "promenade" deck or topside track. The former usually loops around the ship around mid-decks – for walking or jogging, but may have stairs that interrupt you. If so, a topside track might be better if available. Some ships find room for putting greens, golf simulator, a basketball or tennis court (enclosed by ball-catching nets) topside. Some very-large ships have ice rinks, rock climbing walls, "surf parks" and other activities.

Spa facilities are a staple of cruise ships. Everything from massages to hairdressing to exotic health and beauty treatments are available...at substantial extra costs.

Look for laundromats in ship descriptions...not all ships have them. If the cruise spans seven or more days and the ship does not offer them, you may have to pack substantially more clothes. Any facility offered will have two or more pairs of washers/dryers, detergent and softener dispensers (most taking coins/tokens), and irons and ironing boards. All ships offer laundry services, but they'll be pricey. Lacking laundromats, some folks bring detergent (e.g., Woolite) to hand wash select items in their cabin...though humidity creates a drying challenge.

Ashore

You must use your cabin key card every time you leave and re-board the ship. It's how they determine if you're aboard...and how ship's security staff recognize you. Otherwise, they might leave you behind.

You'll regularly be instructed to return to the ship at least 15-30 minutes before its scheduled departure.

Near departure time, based on computer tracking of who's not back, you may hear shipboard announcements for passengers to contact the Pursor's desk...they're "missing".

Research in-advance each place you'll visit. That can greatly enhance your cruise experience...at little or no cost. Many ports and nearby sights are covered by Wikitravel pages, travel web sites and books.

The ship will usually dock at a pier. If none is available, it will anchor or moor off-shore, and ship's lifeboats or commercial boats will tender you to a convenient place on-shore. Your detailed itinerary will indicate how your ship will visit each port.

If you're on a large ship, this tendering may take some time. Ship's tour members usually go first, then "early-birds" who've obtained first-come-first-served tender tickets or numbers. Unless you've purchased a ship's tour, plan your time ashore accordingly.

If weather generates rough seas at any port where your ship anchors/moors, tenders to shore may be cancelled. The line may offer reimbursement for the disappointment, but will refund the cost of ship's tours purchased but unavailable.

Ship port visit times usually allow passengers to go ashore by 7-8 AM, with ship departure often at 5-6 PM. Earlier or later departure times can be affected by tides, distance to next port or special tour needs, while disembarkation may be delayed slightly by port customs clearance of the ship or passengers. At special stops, some ships may stay later, perhaps overnight.

The shore excursions office will offer a variety of sightseeing tours, cultural visits and organized activities (e.g., scuba, snorkeling, kayaking, bicycling)...offerings dictated by the nature of each port, its climate, time of year and time in port.

Ship's tours at major ports often employ large air-conditioned buses for 30-50 people. Popular ports will also have large numbers of air-conditioned taxis...sedans able to carry 3-4 adults, and vans for 6 or more.

All-day tours can fill virtually all your time in port. You'll usually find half-day tours offered as well, morning and afternoon...worth considering if a walk-about or shopping before or after lunch also appeals.

If you are a confident traveler or you've visited the port before and want to tour, you may do well hiring a car with driver-guide to take a tour of your choice and design. It can involve just your family or 2-4 fellow passengers or so.

Ship's tours often cost substantially more than equivalent tours well-negotiated directly with locals, e.g., you may hire a taxi or van with driver/guide at $40-50 per hour for 4-6 people. A half-day ship's tour can range from $50-100 per person, with whole-days $125-200+. But for that extra cost, ship's tours provide:

Great convenience compared to finding things to do and making arrangements yourself after you go ashore in a strange place.

Some confidence if you will venture far from port.

Some assurance in especially "entrepreneurial" locations that you won't be scammed by a taxi driver.

Greater assurance that the ship will wait if your tour is not back on time.

Again, it may wait for you if you are on your own, but only if it can reach the next port on-schedule without compromise or high added cost.

Very popular ship's shore excursions may fill-up days before you reach port – some even before you set sail. You may be wise to research them and alternatives and sign-up online well in-advance as justified, e.g., if...

You have your heart set on swimming with dolphins or stingrays, or climbing a glacier.

You're focused on a full-day tour to a truly special locale some distance from the port.

At some ports, the ship may have to dock among commercial freight operations. Walking from the ship to things worthwhile may be through unpredictably dangerous activity. Look at the ship's newsletter for port conditions and listen for port adviser announcements. At such docks, most ships will arrange a shuttle from the ship, to a terminal (with taxis, etc.) or to a shopping area or downtown. If so, also look for details about a return shuttle. Lacking any shuttle, you should request transport that avoids danger, even if at your expense.

The UV content of the sun can be very high on any tour, especially on or near water at any latitude during the Summer. See "Stay healthy" below..

Buy

Money Matters

Cabin key. For both convenience and to foster a casual-spending atmosphere, most cruise ships run a "cashless" system in which you use your cabin key (card) to charge all on-ship expenses, sometimes except for gambling. Two or more cabin keys/cards can reference one credit card or cash account (deposit given in-advance), e.g., for couples and families. At the end of each cruise segment, the ship will use your credit card or cash deposit to settle the final balance of your account.

You can obtain the current balance of your account, with a list of all charges, at any time, sometimes even on your cabin TV. You should review those details at least near the end of cruise to allow you time to question any charge.

If linked to your credit card, your account balance will be automatically charged to it; many lines charge your credit card with expenses during the cruise. At cruise end, all is settled automatically...allowing use of your cabin key at least through the last evening.

You must personally settle any cash account. This risks long lines at the Pursor's Desk on the last full day of the cruise as many others also pay their accounts. Once paid, you may not be able to make any more charges before disembarking.

At debarkation, anyone who has not fully settled their account will not be allowed to leave.

Tipping

Tips on-board take two forms...the surcharges for special drinks, specialty restaurants and some services (discussed below), and (ultimately optional) tips for the ship's staff (not officers) usually levied at the end of the cruise.

Learn the cruise line's recommendations for tipping the ship's staff. They suggest "appropriate" optional amounts...a crucial part of staff income. Amounts recommended may vary somewhat by your class of cabin.

Many cruise lines add those amounts to passengers' shipboard accounts automatically. This method ensures that all staff contributing to your cruise experience (e.g., cooks, cleaning and maintenance workers), not just your waiter and cabin steward, receive some extra income and recognition.

No automatic gratuities go to ship's officers.

You can opt to decline or adjust this arrangement as desired before cruise end. Royal Caribbean and some others offer the option in advance.

As inducement to regular customers, some cruise agencies may pay standard gratuities.

Whether automatically or in-person, any crew member who has especially enhanced your cruise experience deserves something...perhaps in-addition to automatic amounts.

Some cruise lines have a "no-tipping" policy, often aimed at the European market where tipping is sometimes alien and can frighten customers away. In reality, gratuities are often built into the price of those cruises, on which passengers usually also pay taxes.

Shopping On-board

Cruise ships take advantage of their international/at-sea status to sell a variety of duty-free items (e.g., liquor, jewelry (costume and precious), cosmetics, perfumes) at decent if not outstanding prices. Large ships usually have boutiques selling logo clothing/souvenirs, perhaps offering casual and evening wear (a few even tux rentals). Others shops offer basic sundries, candy and over-the-counter drugs. Shops will only be open while the ship is at sea.

You may see "sidewalk sales", specials on jewelry and watches, and toward the end perhaps a clearance sale on outdated logo and other items.

All bottled liquor purchases on-board will be held until the last full day of your cruise, and then delivered to your cabin...likely well-boxed, needing just a bit more padding in the box to be ready for carrying or (after plastic bagging) to go in checked luggage to fly home.

Most ship's merchandise is subject to duty if all of your trip purchases exceed your duty exemption as you return home. For expensive items (e.g., jewelry), check if they were made in your home country. If so, with a proper certificate, you may not have to count them against your duty exemption as you return home.

Shopping Ashore

Shopping remains a highly-popular activity, with most ports offering at least handicrafts and souvenirs reflecting the destination. Others offer wide ranges of merchandise, to include clothing, electronics, jewelry and consumables. A crude rule of thumb: the farther you venture from the dock area, the lower the prices may be for given types of items. If there is a chance that you'll use your credit or debit card:

Let the issuing bank know in-advance where you'll be traveling.

Follow good practices for ensuring it won't be lost, and won't be misused by others.

Cruises to certain destinations may stop at ports offering serious shopping...duty-free and/or highly competitive, e.g., Saint Martin and Saint Thomas in the Caribbean, and (perhaps except for "designer stores") Hong Kong and Singapore. For example discussion of duty-free shopping and customs obligations, see Saint Thomas#Buy. If inclined to seriously shop somewhere not familiar to you, do some on-line research about what to expect, stores, tax/duty, and what to watch out for.

The ship may have a port shopping adviser who can provide useful information and may recommend certain merchants. Those advisers are often employed by the cruise line or merchandising firms that receive very large fees from the merchants they recommend. This does not impeach the reputation of those merchants, nor should it question the worthiness of their competitors. But it may increase the final prices that touted merchants demand. In desirable shopping locales, most merchants are quite responsible.

At other locations, take care with final costs beyond labeled or negotiated prices, e.g., duty, or tax such as Europe's VAT not reflected in prices...often 17-25%. Though eligible for them, you may be able to obtain refunds only at certain places, e.g., airports as you leave the customs jurisdiction to return home, and only for each purchase that exceeds a substantial amount. The last cruise port for a ship exiting such jurisdictions may have no "standing", nor the port an office offering or processing refunds. Getting refunds by applying by mail after you are home will be problematic.

Such challenges cause serious shoppers to seek-out cruises to and wait to reach truly duty/tax-free and highly-competitive locales. Wherever you shop, know what you're getting and what it costs elsewhere.

Eat

Nearly always, meals are included in the price of the cruise. This includes poolside snack bars where you can order a burger or something and walk off without paying. (It's not "free", of course; you paid for it when you bought your ticket.) On virtually all cruise ships, you'll find a buffet...usually on one of the upper decks...available during all meal times and usually offering something from early morning to late evening...again, free. On better ships, buffets can seem almost like pure extravagance. Room service is usually available at all times, except after 1:00 AM the night prior to disembarkation on most cruise lines. Sometimes, you may have to pay a gratuity or late night charges when applicable.

At normal meal times, you'll find seated dining with full waiter service available, usually with a multi-course menu featuring variably fancy dishes. Most of the menu will change every night. At least one dining room will offer seated breakfast and lunch, seldom with a pre-assigned table. It will be open for 2-3 hours around the usual time for any meal. Note: Damp swimwear can damage dining room chairs; don't wear it there, even under a wrap or cover, even if quite dry.

Traditional evening dining service is at pre-set times...usually early/main and late sittings. If you choose a time (and table size) (best when you book your cruise), you'll be seated at the same table at that time every evening.

If your table preferences haven't been met (first indicated on your cabin key card), contact the maitre de on-board for help as soon as possible after embarkation.

Exceptions to your usual time and table may may occur when the ship is in port and many passengers are eating ashore. (The daily newsletter should mention this.) If so, you may share a different table with "strangers", even in a different dining room.

Table size can vary from 2 to 8-10 people, perhaps more. Round tables for 6-8 seem conducive to easy conversation among all. Unless you/your group fully occupies a table, you'll meet other guests as table mates...usually an interesting time, with repartee beyond what's possible with a new set of strangers at "open sitting". It also allows your waiters to learn and anticipate important needs and preferences, e.g., kosher, vegetarian, food allergies, drink preferences and timing.

To assure well-timed service, reach your table within 30 minutes of when the dining room opens for your sitting. Large kitchens must serve several hundred (perhaps thousands of) passengers at each sitting, one course at a time, with expectations of freshness and proper temperatures.

In recent years, to respond to some guests' dislike for scheduled dining, cruise lines have introduced freestyle, choice or open seating options which allow dining at any time during dinner hours. This may be offered in separate dining rooms. Menus will be the same as for scheduled sittings. As you enter, you may have to wait for a table, just as you would without reservations at home. If it's especially busy, you have just a few in your party, and are willing, tell the Maitre de that you "will share". It greatly helps him/her efficiently use tables/seating, and may speed getting you seated.

Most ships also offer specialty restaurants, often with international themes...usually by reservation only. (If you have no reservation, you can try "will share", but don't rely on it; most diners with reservations don't expect to share.) Some of them have surcharges (e.g., $20-30+ per person) for exceptional service and dishes...most well-deserved. If you normally dine at fixed sitting but plan to use a specialty restaurant any evening, tell your regular waiter the evening before.

Recommended dinner dress in dining rooms varies somewhat across cruise lines. For details, each cruise-line explains its expected dress code on its web-site, and you should find details on web sites for cruising.

Many "main line" ships declare dining for most evenings as requiring just "country club" or "resort" casual wear...collared shirt and slacks for men, nearly anything but pool wear for women (we jest).

They'll also often have one or two "formal" nights per week...tux or dark suit and tie for men, evening wear for women.

Some luxury lines may declare every evening as semi-formal...suit and tie for men, evening wear for women.

For any evening, the same dress standards apply in specialty restaurants.

You'll embarrass yourself, your table mates, your waiter and others if you go to your dining room for dinner wearing jeans, shorts, a tank-top, or similar casual/pool-wear. You may also be denied seating. If you have no interest in "seated dining" on formal nights (or any evening), you can use the buffet for dinner instead. Food offerings will be somewhat similar to that in dining rooms that night, perhaps lacking items that require complex service. The buffet offers another benefit:

If you must fly to/from port, and may too-easily exceed your luggage limits, e.g., must pack for small children and yourself, have a long cruise on a ship with no laundromat...

Drink

Typical staples such as coffee, tea/iced tea, lemonade, juices (at breakfast) and iced tea are available at no charge. Other drinks are usually not included in the cruise price, even if the cruise's promotional brochure says or implies "all-inclusive".

Expect to find one or more well-stocked bars on all public decks, catering expertly to your preferences, many opening mid to late morning and some staying open very late.

All dining rooms will have a very good wine list, with a few offerings by the glass, as well as bottled waters, mixed drinks and specialty coffees.

Many cruise lines offer drink packages for unlimited soft drink refills, some for specialty coffees, wine, even a few for mixed drinks, but each for a substantial additional cost that often includes the service fee. Understand the terms clearly before committing to any. Examples:

A "pop/soda pass" often runs $30-45 for a week, which can equal 3-5 separately purchased drinks every day. (A considerable average daily consumption rate.)

A recently-reported mixed-drink package runs over $300 per person for a week, while most separately-priced drinks run $7-11 or so each. Again, this means a considerable daily consumption rate to "break even".

If you delay purchase of a package a day or more, the price often remains the same.

Not counting the service fee, some mixed drinks may be cheaper than you might pay at better watering holes ashore, but don't count on it. However, you'll usually find drink specials mentioned in the ship's daily newsletter.

These costs prompt some people to try to bring their own. But most lines forbid bringing liquor on board, and any found (at embarkation or as you board from later port visits) will be "held for you", and returned on the last full day of the cruise in the same packaging as received. Some lines will allow you to initially bring 1-2 bottles of wine per cabin, and most will allow you to bring your own soft drinks.

Some ships are primarily party vessels, full of young adults taking advantage of duty free alcohol and (perhaps) lower drinking ages in international waters. You may identify them by their extremely uneventful itineraries: straight out to sea, stay there for much of the trip, then back to port. Their advertising is usually also not particularly subtle. If you want one, you'll recognize the signs; if you want to avoid one, likewise.

Mainstream cruise lines avoid unbridled drinking by:

Requiring at least one occupant of each cabin to be a minimum age (with some exceptions for legitimate families) and/or by not serving alcohol to anyone under 21.

Training and directing wait staffs to control service to minors and those who've had too much.

Sleep

Shortly after arriving at your cabin, introduce yourself to your cabin steward and discuss any preferences or needs for service, such as ice at certain times, softer or firmer pillows, etc. They will often have an assistant and will both be working together as a team. If you brought sanitizing wipes or solution, you might wish to sanitize key surfaces like the lavatory counters, telephone handset, TV remote, and desktop.

For families, in addition to the bedding noted earlier, some cabins will have a pull-down bunk-bed (not appropriate for small children due to safety, or full-sized adults due to length and weight) and/or a pull-out sleeper-settee or sleeper-sofa.

If you've booked as a family, your steward will unlock any "pull-down", for your use whenever desired. It will be made-up each morning and prepared each evening.

If there are more than 2 adults, your cabin steward will prepare the sleeper-sofa each morning and evening; even a second bed if included with the cabin.

Suites often have more options, with the cabin steward (or butler) ready to explain use of all and prepare as needed.

If your cabin is not as desired or needed on arrival, resolve it through your cabin steward before you retire the first night.

Stay safe

Because of the numerous advancements in modern shipbuilding and other technology, cruise travel is generally very safe. With the exception of some of the smallest lines (which may have a very limited staff), the crew of your ship are all well-trained to calmly and efficiently handle any emergencies that may arise during the cruise. Occasionally, even some considerable problems may be discovered and repaired while going completely unnoticed by the passengers.

Aboard

In the event of a life-threatening emergency, instructions will be given on where to report (most likely your lifeboat station, designated at the pre-departure safety briefing) and what to bring with you (probably just your life vest and cruise ID card). Remain as orderly as you can and do not panic as you are evacuated; although cliché, acting out of place will only make matters more complicated and increase your chances of injury.

Remember to be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially at night. You shouldn't feel worried about going about on your own, but should be extra vigilant around bars where running into intoxicated passengers is a possibility and any altercation could escalate into a very dangerous situation. Keep an eye on your belongings and don't flaunt nor take them with you everywhere; leaving your iPod on a pool chair unattended while you quickly order a drink is just asking for someone to snatch it from you. Lock expensive items and jewelry in your cabin safe, then use or wear it only when appropriate. If you win a substantial amount of money in a ship's casino (unlikely, but not impossible), ask to have your earnings credited to your cruise account or given to you in the form of a check before disembarking, not in cash form for your wallet.

Families traveling with children should be cautious as well. While family-friendly lines like Disney are "age-proofed" for their safety, other lines and older ships typically are not and there are many hazards that could put them in a dangerous situation; e.g. being left unsupervised on a balcony, falling down the stairs, swimming in a pool without a lifeguard, etc. Older teenagers should be given some freedom about what they'd like to do and where they want to relax during the cruise, but you should always know the whereabouts of younger children.

Always report anything suspicious or concerning to a crew member; they will investigate or get someone who can investigate the matter. Trust your instincts as well. If a certain situation or activity in an area of the ship doesn't feel comfortable to you, it may not be.

Ashore

Stay healthy

Sunburn

As noted earlier, too much sun exposure (on-board or ashore) ruins cruises for more people than any other cause. Sunburns (and their pain) can last until well after you return home. For a few, they may later induce cancer or other permanent skin damage. Rather, before you'll be exposed to sun for more than a short time, take effective precautions with clothing and sunblock so that you can fully enjoy whatever recreation you choose. The ship's store will offer sunblock but at highly premium price, and a few kinds of hats; stores at ports may offer similar products, but almost always at prices higher than at home. (See also Sunburn and sun protection.)

Queasiness

Some people experience queasiness on cruise ships. This is very unlikely on large or recently-built vessels, which consistently have highly effective stabilizers. Even so, some sensitive inner ears may react to even imperceptibly slow and gentle rocking of a calm sea, while small, intense storms can make the ocean rough for a day or so.

If you know it may be a problem, pick a cabin location that minimizes movement when the ship rolls and pitches; e.g., amidship and/or on a lower deck.

Over-the-counter motion sickness medications (e.g., Dramamine, Bonine) usually help; though reportedly, Draminine has a tendency to cause drowsiness that can make it impractical to use for the duration of a cruise.

Prescription trans-dermal Scopalomine patches can be very effective. But some people have troubling side-effects, so test a patch before the cruise if you like the convenience they promise.

Some people find relief with special wristbands that claim to stimulate pressure points that are believed to counteract the nausea of motion sickness; their effectiveness has not yet been independently verified, but may be worth considering.

Staying well can be as simple as eating (and drinking) responsibly. Generous helpings of that beautiful, fresh pineapple for breakfast every morning can cause problems, as can the portions of wonderful and rich delights at dinner. Marine biologists know that the calf of a blue whale can gain up to 30 pounds per day; the next fastest weight-gaining mammal may be the cruise passenger - actually known to gain 6-7 pounds per week if he or she "over celebrates".

Outbreaks

Passengers and crew are susceptible to communicable diseases (e.g., the flu, colds, Norovirus), but thankfully this happens only very occasionally due to great effort and care by the ship's staff, and by passengers who cooperate with health protections. It occurs because large numbers of people from countless places have close proximity, share facilities, and forget to be responsible.

Prevention: Most maladies spread much in the same ways as the common cold. Stifling coughs and sneezes into your sleeve helps greatly. And ships regularly provide hand disinfectant dispensers at entrances to dining areas; use them, but don't rely completely on them. You can help yourself if you:

Wash hands very frequently and thoroughly.

Substitute "elbow bumps" for handshakes with staff and fellow passengers; at the very least, wash up well after shaking someone's hand.

Use sanitizing wipes or solution on key parts of your cabin occasionally. This is no criticism of your cabin steward, who's efforts will also be thorough.

Use your cabin bathroom rather than public restrooms whenever you can.

If you become ill: Report it as soon as possible, very preferably by cabin phone.

The medical staff can help considerably, may attend to you in your cabin, and may direct you to remain there and cancel any port visits until you recover (usually within a couple days) to avoid spreading the malady. Such direction is often reinforced by law in ports.

If the illness is deemed the ship's responsibility (e.g., several other passengers have or have had it), you may not be charged for medical services and may receive reimbursement for missed ship's tours.

Specially-equipped teams of ship's staff will thoroughly clean and sanitize any "accidents" in your cabin. So report them, and report public accidents as well.

Ships that see "possible signs" of an outbreak (even several passengers with sea-sickness) may set up extensive precautions and health/sanitation protocols to limit spread of any infectious agent. This can include hand sanitizer dispensers at entry to all public areas, barriers to self-help in buffets, nearly constant sanitizing of railings, door handles and public restrooms everywhere. Make use of and respect those measures.

Food/Drink Ashore

Although shipboard food and water will be sanitary, the usual precautions for overseas travel should be taken when eating and drinking ashore.

Advance research about your port visits should include looking for possible health risks.

In well-developed countries and "touristy" areas, food and water may be safe. In addition to research, consult the ship's port descriptions and the port adviser. Even with assurances, take care with sidewalk food stands and road-side cafes. Crowds of locals only indicate popularity and low cost, not necessarily safety.

In lesser developed countries/ports/areas, take care to avoid local water and food-borne bacteria or parasites, including drinks made with ice a bar/restaurant may make using local tap water.

If in doubt about getting water ashore, buy it in sealed, labeled bottles.

Restrooms in "rustic" places in any country may have no tissues/napkins, so bring your own.

Carrying bottled water

Few ports prohibit bringing sealed bottles of water ashore. You'll see pricey offerings each time you leave the ship. Ask a ship's officer in-advance if sealed bottles are necessary; if not, you could (re)fill your own, with buffet beverage/water dispensers perhaps offering better tasting water than that in your cabin.

Medical Staff

Nearly all cruise ships have one, with an accredited doctor. Larger ships may have two or more nurses. Most will offer open hours ("sick call") in the morning and late afternoon for routine ailments, with on-demand response (even in-cabin) for injuries or major illnesses. Most can effectively render first- and second-aid, perhaps more depending on the doctor's experience and on-board facilities, e.g., X-ray. They carry basic medications and supplies typically needed for cruises. Don't depend on them to replace medications you must use, even with near-equivalents.

If the ship's itinerary is quite repetitive, the doctor may have standing with pharmacies in some ports. They may be able to issue usable scripts for your needs, but the ship's staff often must pick up the medications.

Unless your problem appears to have been caused by some condition or event that's the ship's responsibility, expect to be charged a fee for their services. Your regular health insurance may not cover such fees, but good trip insurance usually does.

Some ships have modest dialysis capability. If you need it, learn in advance if it's the type you need and can reserve time slots. If available and as needed, reserve the service/times through your agent if you used one. Check with your health insurance agent to see if your regular policy covers any or all of what will be a substantial cost.

Though the doctor and staff often wear ship's uniforms, many are concessionaires, not ship or cruise line officers. Nevertheless, for serious conditions, the doctor's decision about continuing your cruise under illness or injury will usually prevail. Medical evacuation can be unbelievably expensive, and so should be covered by full-spectrum trip insurance.

Physical limitations

If you have physical limitations, have your agent arrange needed services in advance, e.g., wheelchair to embark/disembark, for port visits/during the cruise, perhaps even to rent a "power chair" motorized wheelchair (usually only available for round-trip cruises).

Contact

Many cruise ships are now equipped with cell phone-to-satellite transponders, which take over automatically at sea to provide wireless phone service to the world throughout the ship. Your cell phone works just like at home and bills its usage back to your regular cell phone bill.

Be aware that as your phone switches over to that "Cellular at Sea", you are roaming at their pricey per minute rates; the allotment of minutes on your plan doesn't apply here. Data should work as well, but cost can add up fast if your phone checks e-mail regularly.

Once the ship docks at a port with available cell service compatible with your phone, and you then turn it on, your phone will likely use shore signals instead.

Experienced cruisers wanting to avoid ship's costs simply ensure that none of their cell phones are ever turned-on while on-board.

Most ships offer ship-to-shore phone service from your cabin, but again at rather expensive rates. They may also levy heavy tolls on people at home who contact you by phone on the ship.

On-board Internet cafes and Wi-Fi hotspots are increasingly common, but the rates also tend to be fairly steep and the speeds (usually relying on high-latency satellite uplinks shared with ship's business) can be unimpressive.

To "save" some money, consider buying a modest block of minutes, at a lower per-minute rate, early in your cruise.

Wireless coverage points may limit where on board you can use your laptop. (Remember that most of the ship is constructed of steel...a particularly unfriendly material for dependable wireless connections.)

Some new ships have wired or wireless networking available in cabins, perhaps for another fee.

Avoid depending on a ship's service to download major files of any kind, e.g., video clips, software updates. Networked gaming will be a joke. On-board with your own laptop, consider using only e-mail...after you turn-off all settings that allow automated updates to software, even to include (heaven forbid) anti-virus/firewall suites. Turn them back on and wait to complete updates if using your laptop and faster services ashore and promptly back home.

Avoid depending on the day before disembarkation to conduct essential business. It's usually the busiest day for on-board internet use, with unusually slow response because passengers are checking flight details, using up surplus pre-purchased time and doing other tasks, all while ship's business is especially intense.

Internet ashore If you find these cautions worrisome, you can usually find Internet cafes at or near many ports...often offering much better rates and speed. Look for ship's staff that can offer objective advice; many of them use those port cafes as well.

Anytime you use any computer while traveling, ensure that all private/sensitive portions of your sessions and data are secure, e.g., avoid doing financial or highly-personal business, use your own laptop if possible, have pro-active security capabilities installed and running, use wired Ethernet instead of WiFi if possible, set up a unique/complex password just for the trip, look for the https in networked sessions anytime privacy or security is needed. See more discussion at Internet access.

Get out

This is a recap of a typical disembarkation process. Near cruise-end, the Cruise Director will give a briefing that covers specific details for that ship/cruise and debarkation port, to include possible local customs and immigration (C&I) processing.

Called "debarkation" or "disembarkation", this involves getting perhaps a few thousand passengers off the ship as efficiently as possible. You can't all leave at once. You'll likely receive a questionaire several days before cruise-end asking what travel arrangements you have made to return home. Your answers (e.g., scheduled flight departure date/time) will determine in what group you will disembark.

Two or so days before cruise end, you'll receive luggage tags indicating your debarkation group. Instructions that come with them will indicate the time your group is scheduled to be called to leave the ship.

On most ships, those tags will be colored and/or numbered. You can obtain more from the pursor if needed.

On the last night, place a tag on the handle of each piece of your luggage and put at least your large, packed luggage outside your cabin door...usually by 10 or 11 PM. It will be taken by stewards for you to claim ashore in the terminal the next morning.

Unlike airlines, you can put out more than two pieces per person. But if you're flying home, you'll need a way to deal with all pieces somewhere ashore before your flight.

You can also put out carry-on baggage, but...

Don't pack in them what you'll need in the morning, e.g., medications, toiletries, something to wear to leave the ship. This often means you'll need to later transfer some items (especially liquids) you've kept for use into your to-be-checked luggage...sometime before you approach the point where you'll flight-check your bags.

Always keep with you any bags that have valuables inside.

Some ships offer a "walk off" or "express" disembarkation option. You can choose to leave the ship early as part of a group receiving special, expedited C&I processing if you carry off all your possessions. You should find that option on the questionaire mentioned above. If you opt for it, do not miss the call for your group to disembark or you may be directed to leave in the very last group.

At some major ports, some ships offer special luggage handling services for passengers flying home on certain airlines. For a fee, they will provide special airline tags and take luggage (you intend to check) the last night to, perhaps through your airline check-in at the airport. If you opt for this, understand the process and your responsibilities.

Typically, people with early flights, cruise-line shore excursions and express walk-offs are given the earliest debarkation times.

The next/last morning, you may be instructed to leave your cabin somewhat early (yes, a dining room and the buffet will open quite early for breakfast), and proceed to a specific public area on the ship to wait to be called to disembark. (Per "Get in" above, your cabin steward must completely redo it and many others by 2 PM or so for the next occupants.)

Consider having a hearty breakfast. You may face several hours before the next opportunity for decent food.

If anyone in your party needs to be seated while waiting (perhaps 1-2 hours) to disembark, they should go your assigned public area early.

That area won't necessarily be on the same deck as for exiting the ship. If not, you may have to negotiate stairs with your belongings because elevators will be very busy. If anyone has physical limitations, request help in-advance.

In that area, you'll eventually be called by color/number to disembark...usually not before the scheduled time.

Many ships do not call groups using the public address system. They're made only by staff in your assigned public area.

If you're not part of a special group that leaves early, and you miss your group's call, you can usually leave later without complications.

As you walk off the ship into the terminal, you'll be ushered to a large area with masses of luggage...considerably less if you disembark in one of the last groups. Your luggage will be arranged according to your disembarkation group. You'll need to pick-out your pieces and proceed to C&I or other processing if any. Porters will likely be available to help. After any processing, many options begin, e.g.,:

If you have an end-of-cruise tour or pre-paid airport transfer arranged, you'll be ushered to a bus or other vehicle to transport you, with your luggage usually on-board.

Other transport can take many forms, e.g., self-arranged taxis, surries to paid parking lots or local hotels.

Once you leave the terminal, you basically have full responsibility to reach whatever destination or follow-on transport awaits.